Pears, Sweet & Savory

Sweet and juicy with creamy, smooth flesh, pears make any dish shine. Truly versatile, this fall favorite is perfect in a salad or alongside a roast, baked in a pie or caramelized and drizzled with honey for a simple dessert. Get inspired to cook both sweet and savory with pears; there's even a gingery fall cocktail featuring luscious, tart Bartlettes.

Gin mixes very well with pears because it helps open up the subtle aromas that these pome fruits are prized for. Green Bartlett pears are used here for their tartness and solid nature, but you can try whatever pear you can find in the peak of its season.

The mellow pear plays well with all sorts of counterparts. Among the cauliflower, brown butter, earthy nuts and sage, the pears add a hint of sweetness to this easy side that works as well on a weeknight as it does for a holiday meal.

The firm, slightly grainy texture of Bosc pears is perfect for baking because it helps the pears keep their shape, an important factor for the finished appearance of this cake with its pretty fans of caramelized pear slices.

Classic green peppercorn sauce is treated to a double dose of fruitiness from fresh Forelle pears and a hit of pear brandy. Don’t be tempted to opt for boned veal chops: the bones help keep the meat moist and add flavor.

A triple-decker stunner, this soft, tender cake has fresh pears and ginger folded into the batter along with a billowy whipped cream filling and frosting. All is topped with luscious rum-caramel glaze.